Fitness Supplement Benefits - When Gyming Is Not Enough

The fitness supplement industry is a multimillion dollar business aimed at young athletes who want to build muscle. Bodybuilding products are mostly available as pills and powders; in 2008, the value of the industry was $2.8 billion. Most products are a division of a more familiar category of supplements, which mostly consist of mainstream products like energy bars and vitamin-infused waters. According to the Nutrition Business Journal, in 2008 the fitness supplement industry made $25 billion in revenue. Are these products recommended when gym results are not that fulfilling?

Dieting alone can’t give you a six-pack

Athletes who seek top performance are worried that even if they eat right, they won’t gain enough muscle mass. And they’re right. No matter how clean you eat and how hard you work at the gym, fitness supplements are advised to give you a boost, keep you energized and active. Turning to powers or pills brings out a lot of skepticism. Females for instance, should stick to energy bars, drinks and multivitamins. Trainers and expert physicians argue that women don’t have to turn to powders to increase muscle mass, mainly because their bodies has to remain lean and not look bulky.

Fitness supplements that are male-oriented are extremely easy to find as the market is packed with all sorts of brands and products. Famous products such as creatine, nitric oxide and whey powder are available under numerous names at major drugstores. Even though their effects are undisputable, most of these branded products have not been approved by the FDA (The US Food and Drug Administration).

Be aware of the risks

Most fitness physicians point out that many fitness supplements feature confusing labels. Most of them claim to have certain essential ingredients, but often times they’re packed with caffeine. Fitness aficionados should pay close attention and only purchase supplements from authorized trainers and stores. You should build muscle mass the healthy way, and this can only be achieved if you know exactly what you put inside your body.

Some nutritionists argue that athletes who adhere to a normal diet are not compelled to take supplements, even if their daily routine is intense. Nonetheless, others say that bulking up at the gym will never happen fast enough without extra vitamins to give the body a boost. Creatine and whey protein for example, are meant to increase the body’s aptitude to lift weights, thus making the muscle bulkier and bigger. These supplements make the body become stronger a lot faster, too.

Dosage

In general, the dose recommended by a nutritionist is lower than the dose written on a supplement bottle. That’s because physicians care about the health of athletes, as well. Those under 18 years old should avoid fitness supplements at all costs because their bodies is still growing and their hormonal levels are a lot different than those of a 25-year old adult. Even though supplements are an important component to attaining performance and physique goals, they must be taken at the right time and in the right amounts.

Athletes who want to gain endurance and strength while also shedding fat and building lean muscle should consult with a nutritionist before starting to take supplements at random. A proper plan must be laid out for their bodies to help the muscles develop properly and healthy. Research confirms that bodybuilders and fitness aficionados taking creatine and whey between a workout to attain significantly greater results than those who don’t take them at all, or take them at random.

An adequate supplementation plan is extremely important, and it can only be recommended by an expert. Supplements taken in wrong doses may lead to severe side effects, such as muscle cramps and stomach upset from too much creatine, for example. On the bright side, when creatine is taken in adequate quantities, it builds muscle size extremely fast; the supplement is ideal for bodybuilders and athletes who want to bulk up. As for the whey protein, the substance is a standard fitness supplements meant to hasten muscle recovery post-workout.

When going to the gym is not enough to get in shape and build more muscle mass, fitness supplements may be included in an athlete’s diet regimen. However, you are not advised to take pills and shakes at random; consult with an expert just to be on safe side and grow your muscle the healthy way.

Author Bio: Jefferey Morgan is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge at this field. Also he writes for a site http://www.nuique.com/ which offers vegan omega 3 supplements and natural health products.